Snowplow



May 3, 194,9.

Filed Dec. 8, 1944 E. wlEDMAN 2,468,950

SNOWPLOW 5 Sl'xeecs-Sheevcl 1 E62 #mali Wr/amm,

May 3, 1949. E. L.. WIEDMAN- 2,468,950

SNOWPLOW Filed Dec. 8, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 3,1949. E. L. WIEDMAN 2,468,950

sNowPLow Filed Dec. s, 1944 f 5 shams-shea s 4PM e l e 93 d? 1 f\9 ngi 103 v f/ xav-d' "uns f uv "Z8 100 y@ v 105 ,zzz 54? 95 la; v

May 3, l1949.v

Filed Deo. 8, 1944 E. L. wll-:DMAN 2,468,950

SNOWPLOW 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Edward 12 Madman ZzY/z-Z-o (jyfwzw E. L. WIEDMAN Many- 3, 1949.

SNOWPLOW 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dc. 8, 1944 gay. z5

Patented May 3, 17949 UN ITE-D S TAT ES PATE NT OFFICE SNQWPLGW Edwardr-L. Wiedman, Tonawanda,'N. Y.

vApplication December 8, 1944, Serial No. 567,199

'17.fClaims.

1 IMy vinvention 'relatesto-a snowplow, f andvv more iparticularly to one designed -for attachment to -a passenger automobile, light truck; delivery lautomoblefor -similar'self-.propelled vehicle.

One of `the objects 'of' my inVen'tionis Ato pro- --v'ide a snow Iplow Vof 4simple construction which vcan A=be conveniently folded into 'a small space,

:stored 'away -so 'that it is easily accessible, and which is of a size that it can be placedwithin an automobileor the trunk compartmentthereof, so Ethat'itcan be 'conveyed `from lplace to place `as'needed.

Another 'object of Imy invention i's to 'provide "a plow which can be` easily converted into 'a may be disposed'to direct 'snow 'to one "or 'the other side of the 'pathin 'which the automobile or other Vehicle `to which "the plow is 'attached Vis traveling.

The invention has for a further object, to'provide 'an improved plow for private use which can be 'easily attachedto and be as readily Sreino'ved 'from an yordinary family Aautomobile without .sub- 'jecting "operating vparts of the latter 'to strain during 'the operation of plowing or scrapingsnow from any area, such as a driveway,the areaiea'ding to or surrounding a service station, 'or for the 'purpose of disposing of snow'bariksor drifts.

With the 'above-mentioned and other objects tofappear hereinafter in' mind, the vinvention con.- 'sis'ts in the construction, arrangement land com.- bination of parts tobe hereinafter described and more particularly pointedout in--the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. Y1 is a perspective view of la `portion .of :a .passenger automobile having .myimpr-oved plow attached thereto.

Fig. 2 .is a front elevation .of the plow as -it appears when usedas ascraper'orpusher.

Fig. 3` is a top .plan viewfof the plow,.s`howing the same converted intofa scraper--orpusher and showing :in dotted lines thev position, of parts -as they kappear when arranged to direct the -snow to one side 0f.the path along which the. aut`o mobile is traveling.

f2 rappears `when adjusting the plow-share "thereof ltofdirect the snow to opposite sides.

Fig. 5 is a top-plan View of the plow Whenithe 'parts are positionedto direct thelsnowtofopposite sides.

Fig. `6 is a broken-longitudinal sectionion'an enlarged scale, taken on ithe plane indicated-1h51 line 9 6, Fig. 3, with the reach-bar extension `or adapter fastened to lthe fre'ar for inner end dfithe reachbar.

Fig.`7 isahorizontal sectionltaken on lined-111, vFigy.

Fig. '-8 'is van enlarged horizontal section taken :online-'849, Fig.' 6,'l'ooking up.

Fig.19is a side-elevationthroughthe connectving ends of-the reach bar vand` its l'extension or adapter #with :adj oining parts directlyA assoiat-e'd therewith part of the reach bar being shown A'in section-to more particularly illustratethe `marlvvner -ofv connecting the associated retainer-spring lthereto.

Fig. 10'is'an enlarged top-pl'an-view-of-theinner .hingedL endslof-the 'two-sectionsrof' the -pl'ow share as thesese'ctions appear lwhen alined to convert the plow share into a scraper-'orpusher,or into iafplowes'liare adapted to direct snow to4 one side.

Fig. lil is a'view similar 'to Fig. '4160, showing 'the two sections of the lploweshare disposed at an `angle -to each other so that snow will 3be Ydirectedito opposite sides.

Fig. 1"2 is Va yrear yview of A'the plows'ha're, -orie section of which is broken to illustrate added length. -an'd 'the other broken away la fdistance beyond-'the hinge connection of the two sections;

Fig. l13is -a longitudinal section throughfoneof the retainer-'devices serving -to ho'ld the ploWfshare in vertical position.

'.Fig. -1'4 Ais anenlarg'ed Side elevationof one'o'f .the `heads serving as ameans of-connection-l for the-retainer-springs to the plow-'share and/'the reach bars.

Fig. -15 islan `enlarged'sideelevation or one end of one of the-retainer-springs.

Fig..r16-is:a vertical section takenfonline -P6"IB, Fig. 12, looking in the direction of lille-arrow crossing said line.

Figs. 17'and 18 :are det-arched perspective views of braces orgussets weldedto 'the `Lbody qootion of 'the plow share and vtothestieriingelenfieiits extending horizontally :along the vlower portions of 'thetwo sections oftheeplowefshare.

Fig. 1-9 is. a rear iview'of a portion Voaf-"oneoiftlre sections of 'the 'plow-share :showing the lmanner of. folding the partiecircular racks and the lreach bars :and retaineredevices Vassociate'oltherewith.

Fig. 20 is a vertical section taken on line 2B-2Q, Fig. 19, looking in the direction of the arrow crossing said line.

Figs. 2l and 22 are detached perspective views of the hinge members which are welded to the inner ends of the plow-share sections for connecting them together.

Fig. 23 is a top-plan view of the plow in folded condition.

Fig. 24 is a perspective sectional View of a portion of the bracing member for the lower end of each of the plow-share sections viewed from the iront and top and showing a slot formed therein through which a brace or gusset is to be passed to be spot-welded to the rear face of the plow-share and which is to be welded in said slot.

Fig. 25 is a horizontal section taken on line 25-25, Fig. 19.

Having reference to the drawings in detail, the letter A designates an automobile, to the front end of which my improved plow is shown attaohed.

The reference numeral 26 designates my improved plow, which comprises a two-part plowshare 21, the two parts or sections 28, 29 of which are pivotally connected together at their inner ends, as at 30.

A reach device 3i is connected to each part or section. In some cases the reach device includes a reach-bar 32, while in other cases it includes the reach-bar 32 and a reach-bar eX- tension or adapter 33. In either case, the reach device also includes a retaining-device 3&3 which extends from the react-bar near its rear end to the plow-share near its upper end. The rear end of each reach-bar, or the rear end of the extension or adapter, when applied to the rear end of one of the reach-bars, is removably-attached to some part of the automobile and while this attachment may be made in any approved manner, I preferably utilize a hanger which may depend from the bumper of the automobile, the bumper-arms thereof, or from any other portion of the automobile.

Since automobiles vary in construction, this hanger may be secured to any automobile part from which it is convenient to provide a depending arm or member which can serve as a hanger, or any portion of an automobile or a part secured thereto may be utilized for attaching the snowplow thereto.

In Fig. 6 of the drawing, I have shown the hanger in the form of a at bar fastened to one side of a bumper-arm 36 by means of a plate Si applied to the opposite side oi said arm by means of bolts 38 passed through said arm and plate and in contact with the upper and lower edges of said bar. In this figure, the `bar is twisted between its ends so that its lower portion is at a right angle to its upper portion. When, however, a hanger of this type is used and applied to a bumper or any other transversely-disposed member of the automobile, the arm will be straight-lined from end to end.

Since it is the purpose of this invention to provide a plow-share which can be easily handled, the two sections 28 and 29 of the plow-share are constructed of comparatively light sheet metal stiffened to enable it to withstand all strains to which a plow-share is subjected and with this in mind, each section of the plow-share is formed of a single sheet of metal curved forwardly and upwardly along its upper end, as shown at 39, and having its marginal portion at said end rebent or curved rearwardly, as at 4B, to stiien the upper edge and to avoid sharp corners likely to catch against other objects. The lower portion of the sheet of Inetalis to serve as the lower end of a plow-share section, it being curved downwardly and forwardly, as at di, and having its marginal portion bent downwardly, as at 62, and thence rearwardly, as at 43, leaving a rearwardly-opening groove Liii, into which a portion of a brace member 45 is to be entered. This brace member is of Z-shape in cross-section so as to provide a vertical web d6, a rearwardly-extending lange i'i at the upper end o said web, and a forwardly-extending fiange d3 at the lower end thereof, the marginal portion of which is entered in the rearwardly-opening groove Lid, where it is spot-welded to the rearwardly bent marginal portion 43 of the plow-share. This brace member is welded to the body portion of the plow-share at the region where the rearwardly-extending flange 47 meets the web 45, as shown at iii?, Fig. 6. Also disposed longitudinally along the rear of each of the sections of the plow-share is an angle piece 5Fl, one iiange of which lies against the rear of the section and is spot-welded thereto while its other flange lies against the upper surface of the rearwardly-extending Flange i? of the brace member and is spot-welded thereto.

It is apparent, therefore, that the lower portions of the plow-share sections are measurably stiiened and bending of these lower portions is thus avoided when coming in contact with an obstruction. Applied to the rear surface of each plow-share section near its upper end, is an angle .piece 5l, one iiange of which lies against said rear surface and is spot-Welded to the section, the other harige extending rearwardly therefrom. A second angle piece 52 has one of its anges lying against the rearwardly-extending of said angle piece 5i and it is spot welded thereto while its other flange lies against the rear surface of the plow-share section and is spotwelded thereto. Thus the upper portion of each plowshare section is also stiened and assurance prou vided against buckling of the saine along said upper portion.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the inner end of one section overlaps the other and the inner edge of each section is so sheared or fashioned that along its medial portion it is straight-lined as at 53, the edge of the overlapping end being curved outwardly along its upper portion, as at i, while its lower portion is also curved outwardly, as at but preferably on a larger radius than at for a purpose to appear hereinafter. The edge oi the overlapped portion of the other section is also curved outwardly along its upper end, as at 55, and at its lower end, as at 5l, the radius of the outwardly curved lower edge portion 5l being greater than the radius of the curved edge portion 5%. The radii of the two curved edge portions li and 5t of the overlapping section 2e of the plow-share may be slightly greater than the radii of the correspondingly curved edge portions ii and 5i' oi the overlapped section 29 or the plow share, and in using the terms overlap and overlapping they apply only to the sections of the plow-share when they are positioned to serve as a scraper or pusher, or as a plow directing the snow to one side of the path in which the automobile is to travel, or, in other words, when the two sections trend in the same direction.

I preferably reinforce the outer ends of the angle irons l58, bent 'or "fashioned "to -conform 'to Ethe'edge of 'each 'section rat 'sa'.id 5ends. VThe angle Nirons 158 lare curved-at their upper ends, fas at 59; to confor-mito .the rounded .corners `of the plow :share i and their Flower ends rmay lterminate slightly l'below Ithe rearwardly-extending flange ofthe-brace .member 45. Each of these endiangle irons has vone of its lfl'anges 16.0 .lying in contact with and spot `weldedto .the-rear surface of the plowfsh'arelsectionand its other vflange 6 I -extend- .ing-rearwardly. The flange 160 .terminates at its -lower .end fat the upper edge .of the ang-1e piece 50 andlextends .upwardly to meetthe inwardlycur-ved portion-59 of '.I-the rearwardly-extending flange 6|. The .outer ends of the anges of the angle .pieces 5l Iand 52,`which.lie against the rear sur-faces of .the plow-'shares proper, arejoggled .sof as '.tolpass' over lthelanges v6 0 fof .the rangle irons 58; and. these joggled portions may be `spot- -welded to'the flange i(il). The outer ends of the rearwardly-extending:flanges'of the angle pieces 51| and 52 are bent at .aright angle, as at62,'to lie .against the inner Vfaces of the flanges 6I of the Sangle bars 58 and 'they are spot-welded to said-flanges.

The-Zouter ends 'of .the rearwardly-extending langeslof `the angle pieces 50 and the rearwardlyextending iianges 4-1 of :the brace members 45 are .bent at an angle, as at 63, and these bent portionsilie againstlthe inner faces of theflanges 6^.Ifof .fthe angle irons .58 andare spot welded thereto.A

A. vhinge=l4, which includes the pivot 30, lconn'ects'lthe inner ends of the two sections of the plow-share so that they overlap in the manner described when 'the two v.sections of the plowshare trendin the same direction.

Thishinge comprises two members, 65 and 66,

each .of which has an ro'bliquely-disposed hinge leaf 261, .along one vedge of which spaced-apart pivot loops `.$58 are arranged, land when the two members are'connected together, these loops are interfitted so that the .openings therethrough are axially alined to receive the pivot pin 30. Each of these hinge leaves has at its opposite edges a securing flange 1B, the flange of one of said leaves being at an acute angle and the flange of the otherbeing at an obtuse angle, as best shown in Figs. -10-.and 11. The ange of one of these hinge members .lies vertically against vthe rear face of one ofthe plow-share sections along its inner marginal portion, while .the flange of the other hinge member lies against the rear face of the other`plow-share section a distance 'from its inner edge and when the .plow sections are disposed to'trend in the same direction, the hinge leaves 61 lie one against the other.

'.Ihe. .securing flanges of each hinge leaf is fashioned tor conform to the1cross-sectiona1 shape of 'the plow-shares and it is spot-welded to the rear .face of rits associated Vplow-share section. The pivot loops of the hinge are `situated a distance .from the rear faces of 'said sections, due to the-leaf portions thereof extending rearwardly from-the securing flanges of the hinges.

With the View of guarding against the weakening lof the'welded securing flanges of this hinge, thehingeis also tied'to stiffening members of the plow-'share structure, under vwhich term may be included the .angle .pieces 5| and 52 applied to the rear .faces of the vplow-share sections .near their upper ends and the angle piece 50 and brace member '45 near and at. .the lower ends of the plow-share sections respectively. To ac- 'complish-'thsfifasten a-"ihinge bracket 'H'fitc they upper side fo'f the .rearwardly-'extending flange vfof the anglepiece 52 drl'onelo'f '-saidfplowshare sections at its inner --en`d 'andfapo-aeting hinge vbracket y'T2 "to lthe-fimdersile of' the rearwardly-extending ilange "of 'the'ang'lefpiece 531 lfo'f the other plow share section at :its inner end; eachl of these brackets liavingpivot "holes therethrough, `which are vertically -alined AN'withthe holes in the pivot-'loops df "tl'ietwo hingemembers 65 and vlili. rln a like manner," II *fasten yhinge brackets 13, 141:0 the upper `side o'f Jthefrearwardly-extending langelo'f "thefa'ngle jp'iece L5l'l vof Yone of said'plow-sharerse'ctions"andto thefunderside of. the .rearwar'dly-extendingv flange 41 of the brace member o'fthe other, piow 'section 45, respectively. Theselbrackets'also have",r pivot holes therethrough, which .are alined with r`the holes formed in the pivtlloo'ps "ofthehinge members and6l6, -andthepivot pin xilll extends through the several"hingeibrackets When the 'two members or sections .of *the plow-share are disposed'soas to trend' inthe same direction, i the pivot ofthe 'hinge is .'ar'ranged-in fa plane passing through loverlapping -portions 'of the plow-share, but when said members or vsections'are disposed at an angle Lto each other, .as shown in Figs. 5 and1'1,`the1pi'vot of saidlhinge is in a planepassing ithroughthe apex ofjthe V formed by said plow-share sections. `This lis due to the formation of itlie'i'n'ner .edges of-"the plow-share sections andthe disposition .of said edges, respectively, when'theiplow-share sections trend in the same direction. and when they `are disposed at an anglelto each other wDue .tothe forward curvature cf'theLplow-share sectionsat their upper and lower ends, .the curving -of said edges at their upper .and/flower ends .assure a close overlapping relationship when the plowshare sections aredisposed to=direct snow tooppo.- site sides of the `pathfin -whichlthe.automobileis traveling, and only a. slightv .laterally-opening space is formed between the inner overlapping marginal portions of 'the two.plow-sharer sections, thus avoiding the Iformationofa direct opening at the apex of the'V-shape'then .given.`the,plow share and the packingv of. snowbehind the plowshare sections, which .wouldtend topreventproper operation of the plow.

To provide clearance between -the two inner marginal portions ofthe plow-share sections, said marginal portions'are .curved inwardly ona radius having the pivot30 as a center; or'the overlapped marginalportionmaybe soicurvedand the over.- lapping marginal .portion .arranged in slightly greater spaced relation theretov Ito. ,provide lthe necessary clearancefor swinging` the inner Len'd of the overlapping section over the inner .end .of .the overlapped section, It. will, however, be apparent that bycurving the inner marginallportion of both sections, -usinglthe axiso'f the. pivot 3'0,.as the center of the curves, a closer relation of .the sections canbe Vhad when they are swung. at an angleto each other.

The hinge structure-describedpermits Lthe .two plow-shares to be folded Minto yparallel relation with each other, back 'to back, as ,showniin Fig. 23, andwhen so arranged., thesrearwardly-extending angesf I.the angle .pieces 5l .and 5.2 .drone sectionlie edge to edge. with thoseof .the other and similar-disposition oftheangle. piecesSUlfand the rearwardly-extending. fflanges. of. @the Lbrace members 45 also-takes ,place so .that a space or hollow isprovded betweenthesheet .metalgparts of" the two 'plow-share 'sections of 'a width more .than double that of the width of the rearwardlyextending flanges of the angle pieces 59 and 5i and 52. This space is utilized for a purpose to vbe hereinafter described.

To further render the plow-share rigid and resistant against strain applied thereagainst from various directions during the operation of the plow, I apply one or more braces or gussets 'l5 along the length thereof, directly above the rearwardly-extending flange of the angle piece 59. This brace or gusset comprises an elongated tapering member 16 and a securing ange Tl extending laterally from its inner or rear edge. The base of the elongated tapering portion is seated against the upper face of the rearwardly-extending ange of the angle piece 59 while the securing flange Vl extending therefrom lies against the rear face of the plow-share section. This ange is spot-welded to said section and the rear edge of said elongated tapering member or portion is cut away at its lower portion, as at 15, and lies against the upstanding flange of the angle piece 50, This brace or gusset is welded along its base to the rearwardly-extending ilange of the angle piece 59 and along the cut-away portion 'i8 to the upstanding flange of said angle piece.

In line with and beneath each brace or gusset 'l5 is a second brace or gusset i9. This brace or gusset 19 comprises a brace member 89 and a securing flange 8l extending from its rear edge at a right angle thereto. This flange is curved to conform to the lower curved end of the body portion of the plow-share section to which it is applied and it is welded thereto. This brace or gusset 19 is secured to the body portion of the plow-share section before the brace member 45 is secured thereto, the latter having one or more slots 82 formed in its web i8 and extending forwardly partly through the forwardly-extending flange of the brace member so that when placing said brace member in position on the plow-share section, the outer and lower marginal portions of the brace or gusset i9 will extend into said slot, where it is welded so as to provide in effect, a unitary structure with the plow share and the brace member. While the braces or gussets 'i5 and 19 are shown in vertical alinement, they may be otherwise disposed and any number of these braces or gussets found necessary may be spaced along the length of each plow-share section.

The reach device 3! of each plow share secn tion isv connected to the section through the medium of an adjusting device 93, carried by the plow share section associated therewith for the purpose of adjusting the plow-share sections with respect to each other. The reach-bar for each section is connected to said adjusting device and each adjusting device includes a peripherally-- notched semi-circular member 89 hinged to its associated plow-share section, the inner end of said member having a hinge leaf 85 connected therewith by means of a hinge pin 36. This hinge leaf is screwed or otherwise fastened to the upper face of the rearwardly-extending flange of the angle piece 59.

The semi-circular member has an opening 8l therein to provide a marginal arcuate bar S8 along the outer edge of which notches 89 are formed The associated reach-bar extends rearwardly over the top of this semi-circular member, or semi-circular rack as it may be termed, and has its front end connected thereto near the hinge pin 86 by means of a pivot bolt 99 fastened in said member or rack and passed through a slot 9| formed in the reach-bar; thus establishing a com- 8 bined pivotal and slidable connection betweenthe latter and said semi-circular member or rack. v

Each reach-bar has a lock device 92 secured to its underside, which comprises a lock element 93 shaped at least in part to conform to the shape of the notches in the notched arcuate bar 88. This lock element is disposed at the outer side of the arcuate bar 88 and is fastened between the reach-bar and a retainer-bar 94 slidable against the underside of said arcuate bar, Between the reach-bar and said retainer-bar, a stop element 95 is arranged and this is disposed in spaced relation to the inner edge of said arcuate bar 88 when the lock element 93 is entered into any of the notches 89 in said arcuate bar. At such times the pivot bolt is at the rear end of the slot 9| in the reach-bar and in order to prevent disengagement of the lock ele, ment 93 from the notched arcuate bar 89, a. lock pin 99 is passed through registering openings formed in the reach-bar 32 and retainer-bar 94, said openings being then disposed in such relation to the inner edge of the arcuate bar 88 that the loch pin lies in contact with said edge and thus prevents longitudinal movement of the reach bar. When, therefore, the reach-bar is adjusted with reference to its associated plow-share section, or vice versa, the adjustment will be maintained under all operating conditions.

In order that the lock pin 96 may at all times be conveniently at hand, it may be fastened to one end of a short length of chain Whose other end may be secured to some part of the reachbar 32 or the semi-circular member or rack 8H.

Each reach-bar is formed of angle iron, one iiange of which is horizontally disposed and the other vertically. At the rear end of the horizontally-disposed flange, a lock-hook 98 is pivotally secured and this hook has extending forwardly from its pivot, an arm or handle 99 provided with a lateral extension 199 adapted to be passed through a slot i9! in the vertical flange of the reach-bar. This extension is provided with a lock notch 92 adapted to receive a pivoted lock latch |193, the pivot of which is passed theretlirough and through said vertical flange. This lock latch has an arm 499 which is designed to normally assume a pendent position so that the lock latch tends to assume its locking position at all times; thus making it necessary to grasp the arm in order to swing the lock latch into a position that will disengage it from the extension IUI) of the lock-hook 98 and thus permit the latter to be swung on its pivot for the purpose of disconnecting the reach-bar from the automobile, or the reach-bar extension or adapter 33, as the case may be, and as will be more particularly explained presently.

For the purpose of connecting the reach-bars to the hangers 35, each of the hangers is provided with an opening E through which the lock hook 99 of the associated reach-bar is passed and when this lock-hook s in locking position, the lateral extension i 99 thereof projects through the slot Hill in the vertically-disposed ange of the reach-bar and is maintained in the locked position by the lock latch E93.

It is to be noted that each of the lock hooks is gradually widened from its outer or free end inwardly toward its pivotl and this has a tendency to bind the hook against the outer edge of the hanger and against at least one of the walls of the opening H15 therein; thereby preventing play and rattling noises.

aieeeao When itv'isdesired to/ utilZethe-plow-share for directing-,- the snow to one side of the path in which .the automobile istraveling, the Yplow-share sectionsare adjustedsofthatuthey trend in one and-the same-direction44 and4 at such times. the plow-share is disposedobliquely-A with its trailing end at theside towhich the snow is-to bedirected. When the plow-share isv so disposed, an adapter is used in conjunction with the reach-bar atthat sidey ofthe center-of the plow-share which is more distant from the automobile. The front end of the reach-bar adapter is provided with an upstanding hook |05, which is passed through an opening in the reach-bar 3.2 directly forward of thearm or handle 99 on the lock hook S8 of the latter and the pivot of said lock-hook, which eX- tends downwardly belowA the under face ofV the reach-bar, as clearly shown at |61 in Fig. 6, enters an opening |08in the reach-bar adapter.

The reach-bar` adapter is also provided with an upstanding loop, or preferablya pair of registeringxloopsqlll, through which the lock-hook 98.0f thereach-bar 32 is passediand in this manner the front. end-'of the;- reachebar-.adapter 33`y is `con.- nectedto the rear-end yof the reach-bar 32 and thus; af rigid' extended or elongated reach-bar structureor device isprov-ided. The rear-end of the.l reachebar adapter is provided with locking mechanism', similar to thellockingmechanism atA thefrear end Ici the. vreach-bargproper, ,said .locking mechanism including a lockhook and associated parts exactly like the lock. hook and its associated parts at the rearend of the reach-bar, suclfr` parts being similarly numbered; the only exception being thatthe pivot of the'lockv hook is fastened in; place by means of a nut IIB, see Fig, 6, whereas-the pivot of the lock hook on the reach-bar 32 is-welded in saidfreach bar and itsl downwardly-projecting portion is unthreaded so that it may freely enter the opening |08 in the reach-bar adapter.

Whether the reach-bars 32; are 4usedalone-or alreach-bar'structure comprising the reach-bars 32, and the reach-bar-adapter 33` are employed, theplow shareis held in placethereby, it being the'` intentiony that' the lower end ofthe plowshare ride over; the snow-covered surface to be cleared as. closely to4 the-surface as possible so that.y only'a comparatively I thinlayeroft, snow-will remain on` the surfacey after the snow-clearing operationxis completed;

In:y order to` maintain `the vplow-share in vertical positiom, eachv plow-share section is connected near itsfupperk end with its associated reach-bar near its rear end by ymeans of the yielding retainingI devicevv 3,4; Each of these retaining devices/comprises av spiral-spring ||2, closely coiled together at opposite ends,` as'at |13, and having the: convolutions of the spring somewhat separated between they closely-coiled ends. Each of the-closely-coiled ends-are threaded onto collars ||.,4.; each ofwhich is provided with; spiral grooves |5 adapted to have one of thegclosely-coiledendsV ofisaid'spiral spring-threaded thereon. In order that connection is maintained between these collars and the spring, ther closely-coiledl convolutionsof the springs are'weldedito the collars.

`Fastened tothecollars ||1f| are eyes H5, the stems of which arefpassed axially through the collars a so-,that the threaded portions there-A offextend beyond theinner` faces ofy the collars andhavenuts |18 threadedthereon inarnanner tofpermitf,thastems-.of the eyes to rotate inr saidcol1ars.:and. thuswprovide; a swivel connection between saidaeyes andsaidzcollars, Within the spring, a longsleeve or hollow rod ||9 is arranged, the ends of which surround the nutsV ||8. The ends of this sleeve bear against the inner faces of the collars I M and in this manner the spring is prevented from buckling. The eye at one end of each spiral spring is fastened to a loop |20 secured to the rearwardly-extending,` flanges of the angle pieces 5| and 52 welded to the rear face of the plow-share section associated therewith. rihe eye at the opposite end of each of said spiral springs is secured in a loop |21 fastened to its associated reach-bar 32 near its rear end. Normally the springs I2 are underslight expansion, thus assuring maintenance of .the collars ||4 against the ends of the sleeves `or hollow rods I9.

The yielding retainer devices also serve as means to prevent damage to or breakage ofpartsV when the lower edge of the plow-share encounters an obstruction, such as a curb or other elevated object or portion of the surface over` which the plow is to travel, in which case the curved lower end of the plow-share will be swung rearwardly, utilizing the hinge pin 86 as a fulcrum. This, therefore, causes the upper portion of the plow-share to swing forwardly, whereupon the spiral springs ||2 become expanded tov a greater degree and permit the curved lower end of the plow-share to swing into a position wherei it canfreely ride over the obstruction, while the4 entire structure, including the reach-bars, and4 the reach-bar adapter if used, may move into a higher position, the reach-bar, and adapter if'vr used, swinging on their respective hangers 35; as centers. It will be apparent, therefore, that theV plow is self-adjustable so as to ride overobstructions and that when passing onto or beyondthe obstruction, the retainer springs serve to return all parts to normal position.

In View of the fact that the lower end'ofthe plow-share rides in close proximity to the snowcovered surface to be cleared, I have provided gliders |22 which tend, because of their small area, to worktheir way through the lowermost region of snow under the weight of the plow-Y share and thus tend to bring the lower endof the., plow-share closer to the snow covered pavement` or other surface, particularly when operating to, clear fresh fallen or light snow from.4 such.su1 face. These gliders are stamped of sheet metal* and areV formed to provide a concavo-conix center. |23, the convex face of which serves as a,I

rider face, and a peripheral flange |24 designed to lie againstr and be spot-welded to the underside of the rearwardly-bent portion 43 `at the lower end of the plow-share.

When the plow is not in use, the yielding retaining-devices may be detached from the plowshare sections and the reach-bars swung laterally on the notched rack 84 in either direction., The notched rack may then be swung upwardly` against therear of the'section ofthe plow shareV to which it is pivotally connected. The two-sec,-- tionsof the plow-share may thenbe swung together, back toback, and whensoarrangedthe edges ofy the angle pieces 50, 5| .and 52 will. lie in contact, creating a space between the two, sectionsof the plow-share in which thefyielding: retaining-devices are confined and also the ad-. justing devices 83 and reach-bars. The plow-` share sections may be maintained in foldedpositionr by fastening a hook |25 pivotally through, the rearwardly-extending flanges of the .anglel pieces 5| and 52 on one sectionand engagnggit with a pin |26 secured-to correspondingftngQSl 1l Y of the other section, as shown in Fig. 23. It will be apparent, therefore that the plow share when folded, occupies comparatively little space and can be conveniently stored for future use and carted from place to place as required for use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share having two sections pivotally-connected together at their inner ends, and means extending rearwardly from said sections for attachment to an automobile, each of said plow-share sections being curved upwardly and forwardly at their upper ends and downwardly and forwardly at their lower ends, the inner ends of said plow-share sections being overlapped when trending in the same general direction, the inner edge of each of said sections being curved outwardly with the curvature at the lower ends of said edges on a greater radius than the curvatures at their upper ends so that when the sections are swung at an angle for directing snow to opposite sides of the path in which the plow is caused to travel the inner edges of said sections are in close juxtaposition throughout their lengths so as to prevent the passage of snow therebetween.

2. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share having two sections pivotally-connected together at their inner ends, and means at opposite sides of the pivot of said sections extending rearwardly from said sections for attachment to an automobile, each of said sections being curved downwardly and forwardly at its lower end and, the inner ends of said plow-share sections being overlapped when trending in the same general direction, the inner edge of each of said sections being curved outwardly so that when the sections are swung at an angle to each other for directing snow to opposite sides of the path in which the plow is caused to travel the inner edges of said sections are in close juxtaposition throughout their lengths so as to prevent the passage of snow therebetween.

3. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share having two sections pivotally connected together at their inner ends, a notched parti-circular element pivotally connected to each of said sections near their lower ends, a reach-bar arcuately adjustable over each notched parti-circular element and slidable in relation thereto and having a detent element adapted to enter any one of the notches therein to lock said reach-bars and notched parti-circular elements together, and a spring connecting the upper end of each plowshare section with its associated reach-bar to be expanded when the lower end of said plow-share encounters an obstruction and to retrieve itself after the plow-share passes over the obstruction.

4. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share having two sections pivotally connected together at their inner ends, a reach-device for each plowshare section having pivotal connection with the latter near its lower end, and a spring retainerdevice connecting each section above its pivotal connection with its associated reach-bar a distance in rear of said pivotal connection, each spring-retainer-device comprising a spiral spring having stop elements at opposite ends, means of connection at said ends to its associated plowshare section and reach bar, respectively, and a sleeve within said spiral spring having opposite ends normally in contact with said stop elements to prevent contraction of said spring beyond a predetermined degree and buckling for the same and to permit expansion of said spring when the 12 lower end of said plow-share comes in contact with an obstruction to its forward movement.

5. A snow plow formed of a sheet of metal and having a rearwardly-extending flange near its lower end, a parti-circular peripherally-notched element pivotally connected to said ange, a reach-bar pivotally and slidably connected to said parti-circular element having a lock element free to travel along the peripheral edge of said parti-circular element when said reach-bar is at the end of its movement in one direction and being adapted to enter any selected notch of said parti-circular element when sliding said reach-bar to the end of its movement in an opposite direction, means to lock said reach-bar to said parti-circular element when said reachbar is in its last-mentioned position so as to prevent swinging movement of the same, means at the rear end of said reach-bar for connection to an automobile part, and a yielding retainerdevice positioned between said reach bar and the plow-share to maintain the two normally at a right angle to each other, said yielding means permitting swinging movement of said plowshare with respect to said reach bar when the lower edge thereof encounters an obstruction.

6. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share formed of sheet metal and having its lower portion curved downwardly and forwardly and its lower marginal portion rebent to form a rearwardly opening groove, a brace-member oi' Z- formation in cross section to provide a center web-portion, a rearwardly-extending ange at the upper end of said web-portion and a forwardly-extending ange at the lower end of said webportion having its free marginal portion entered in said rearwardly-opening groove, said bracemember contacting said plow share at the conjunction of its center web-portion with its rearwardly-extending flange and being welded to the plow share thereat, an angle piece lying on and secured to said rearwardly-extending ilange and having an upwardly-extending flange secured to the rear face of said plow-share, an adjustingdevice comprising a parti-circular peripherallynotched element and a hinge leaf pivotally-connected to said parti-circular element and being secured to said angle piece, a reach-bar lying across said parti-circular element radially and being provided with a slot near its inner end, a bolt passed through said slot and parti-circular element near the connection thereof with said hinge leaf, locking means carried by said reachbar selectively engageable with the notches of said parti-circular element when said bolt is at one end of said slot, said locking means being disengaged from said parti-circular element when said bolt is at the opposite end of said bolt, and a spring retainer-device interposed between the plow-share and said reach-bar to maintain said plow-share normally in vertical position, said reach-bar having means at its rear end for connection with an automobile.

7. A plow-share formed of sheet metal and having its lower end curved downwardly and forwardly and rebent at its marginal portion to form a rearwardly-opening groove, a brace-member having a forwardly extended portion entered in said rearwardly-opening groove and extending along the rear of said plow-share, said bracemember being secured along its upper portion to said plow share and having a brace welded thereto and to the curved portion of said plowshare atleast at one point along its length.

8. A plow-share formed of sheet metal and spiegarmi having its lower end curvedA downwardly andl passed'through said slot and having its frontl edge conforming to the curvature of said plowshare and being welded thereto, said brace hav,- ing a portion extending rearwardly throughV said slot and being welded therein and to said rearwardly-extending flange.

9. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share, a reach-bar extending rearwardly from said plowshare, anda retainer-element connecting a high point of "said plow-share with said reach-bar a distance from said plow-share, said reach-bar being of angular construction in cross section to form a horizontal flange and a vertical flange along one side of said horizontal flange, and a lock-hook pivotally connected to said horizontal flange at the rear end of said reach bar and having a handle extending forwardly from its pivot and `a lock-arm extending laterally from said handle, the Vertical flange of said reach bar having an opening through which said lock-arm is adapted to be passed and said lock arm having a notch near its outer end, a lock latch pivotally connected to the outer side of the vertical flange of said retainer-bar and `adapted to lock into the notch of said lock-arm `when the latter is thrust through said opening.

10. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share, a reach-bar extending rearwardly from said plowshare and having an opening vertically therethrough, a lock-hook pivotally connected to the rear end of said reach-bar and having its pivot extending below the lower face thereof, a reachbar adapter having an L-shaped hook extending upwardly therefrom adapted to be passed through the vertical opening in said reach-bar and having an opening therein adapted to receive the downwardly-extending portion of the pivot of said lock-hook, said adap-ter having upwardly-extending co-acting means for eng-agement with the lock-hook of said reach-bar for connecting the latter and said reach-bar adapter rigidly together.

11. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share having two plow-share sections pivotally connected together at their inner ends so that they may trend in the same direction or be disposed at an angle to each other, each plow-share section having a rearwardly-projecting element disposed horizontally and provided with a particircular series of notches, reach bars for said plow-share sections adapted for connection at their rear ends with xed parts of an automobile and pivotally-connected at their front ends to said rearwardly-projecting elements, the pivots of said reach bars being the centers of said particircular series of notches, and means on said reach -bars to lock the latter in any selected notches of said rearwardly projecting elements in accordance with the disposition of said plowshare sections.

12. A snow plow, comprising a plow share having two plow-share sections pivotally connected together at their inner ends so that they may trend. inthefsamer'direction Yorbe:Y disposedfH at an angle` to each other, a reacnbarpvotally; connected to each of; saidsectionsfbetwen its; ends to permit said bar to bev swung horizontally in an arc of a circle land co-acting means carried by said plow-share sections andsaid reachbarsforlocking the latter in any desiredangular; position.

13. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share: having two plow-share sections pivotally con nectedtogether at their inner ends and being foldable backto back with aspace between at.: least portions thereof when folded, meanslof connection between each plow-share section and a; xed point of an4 automobile includingr adjusting means to permit of adjusting said plow.share;,`

sections relatively,` and retaining means connect.'- ing the upper portions of' saidplow-share sec:- tions with said connecting means a distancefinv rear of saidsections, said connecting means including its adjusting' means `and said-retaining.: meanssbeing foldableon their respective plowshare sections to position them within the space between sai-d sections when the latter are folded back to back.

14. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share having two sections pivotally connected together at their inner ends, a reach-device for each-section extending rearwardly therefrom, each reachclevice including a notched parti-circular element hingedly connected to its associated plowshare section, a reach-bar pivotally secured at its forward end to said parti-circular element at the center thereof and having its rear end adapted for connection with a part of an automobile, means carried by said reach-bar to lock into any selected notch of said parti-circular element, and a yieldable retainer-devi-ce for each plow-share section connected thereto near its upper end and with the reach-device associated therewith a distance in rear of its associated notched parti-circular element, said yieldable retainer-device enabling the lower end of the plowshare to ride over an obstruction and immediately retrieve its normal position after passing such obstruction.

15. A snow plow, comprising a plow-share having two sections pivotally lconnected together at their inner ends, a reach-device for each section extending rearwardly therefrom and serving to secure the plow-share to an automobile and to permit the plow-share sections thereof to be adjusted relatively from a straight line position to an angular position, or reversel'y, and to permit said plow-share sections to be folded back to back when storing the plow-share, each reach-device including a notched parti-circular element pivotally connected to its associated plow-share section and a reach-bar pivotally secured at its forward yend land having its pivot co-axial with the center of said notched particircular element and its rear end adapted for connection with a p-art of an automobile, said reachbar having means to engage any selected notch of said parti-circular element to adjust the plowshare sections as desired; and suitable retainermeans for retaining said plow-share sections in desired vertical position.

16'. A snow plow', comprising a plow-share having two sections pivotally connected together -at their inner ends, a notched parti-circular element connected to ea-ch of said sections and normally extending rearwardly therefrom, a reach-bar arcuately adjustable along each notched parti-circular element, means to lock 15 said reach-bars and notched parti-circular elements together, and means connecting the upper end of each plow-share section with its associated reach-bar.

17. A snow plow, 'comprising a plowashare having two sections pivotally connected together at their inner ends and normally in substantially vertical position, a reach-bar for each of said snow plow sections extending rearwardly therefrom and having means of connection between its forward end and its associated plow-share section to enable the latter to swing on the pivot connecting said plow-share sections together for adjusting the latter relatively, to provide a horizontal pivot on which the plow-share section may swing from its normal vertical position when striking an obstruction in the path of travel and to maintain said plow-share sections in relatively adjusted positions, yielding means to retain said plow-share sections in normal vertical position, and reach-bar adapters to be used selectively with said reach-bars, said reach-bars having 16 means `for connection at their rear ends with the front ends of said adapters and the latter .having means at their rear ends adapted for connection with an automobile part.

EDWARD L. WIEDMAN.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

'UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date L139,153 Hockman Oct. 28, 1890 763,418 Nutting June 28, 1904 1,776,788 Gettleman Sept. 30, 1930 1,997,001 Lamb Apr. 9, 1935 2,061,585 Meyer Nov. 24, 1936 2,141,558 Richter Dec. 27, 1938 2,219,159 Flynn et al. Oct. 22, 1940 2,333,360 Churchill Nov. 2, 1943 2,370,830 Arps Mar. 6, 1945 

